Sesame, Wasabi & Nori Mixed Nuts

Do you ever stand in that aisle in Trader Joe's that has all the mixed nuts and have serious decision making problems? I mean, they have every combination that ever could exist. And it's also an extremely slippery slope because while nuts have great nutritional benefits, they are little calorie bombs.  And who eats just ONE handful of trail mix? Nobody.

So I just stand in that aisle, drool, and move on. Self control. My weakness is the Thai spiced mixed nuts. If you haven't had them, don't. You won't be able to stop yourself.

So when faced with a surplus of asian ingredients and a freezer full of nuts, I did this:

Sesame, Wasabi  & Nori Mixed Nuts

makes 1 cup

2 tsp coconut oil

1 tsp prepared wasabi paste

1/2 c. almonds

1/2 c. cashews

1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce

1 tbsp rice seasoning (which is sesame seeds, nori, salt, sugar)

In a small bowl, combine coconut oil and wasabi. 

Toast nuts over medium heat for 2-4 minutes. 

When they start to toast, add coconut oil/wasabi mixture and toss to coat. Let them toast for another 30 seconds or so.

Drizzle over the tamari and toss the nuts.

Sprinkle over the rice seasoning and toss to coat.

Transfer to a foil lined sheet pan, spread out so they do not touch, and let them sit out at room temp for about 1 hour. Then you can jar them up and snack for days!

If you giggled every time I wrote "nuts", we must be friends.

Do You Cashew?

I don't know what it is about cashews that I love so much... their sweet, butteriness? Their ability to be coated in salty or sweet and still taste amazing? The face they look like little kidneys? No, that's not it. 

They're certainly not a low fat or low calorie food, but in the world of nuts they are a decent choice (behind pistachios and almonds). Like many nuts, cashews have a long list of health benefits. But really, I just care that they taste great. The health benefits are an added bonus.

Cashew Butter


2 cups roasted unsalted cashews
1/2 tsp salt
3-4 tbsp soy milk or liquid of choice

Place cashews in a food processor

Pulse until you have a coarse meal

Add salt and 2 tbsp of liquid to start, then add additional tablespoons of liquid as you see fit

When your cashew butter is the consistency you like, transfer to a fridge container

Then you have an excuse to eat celery!

The cashew butter should stay nice and fresh for about a week.

You can always flavor your cashew butter while it is in the food processor. Here are some tasty add in ideas:

• Vanilla bean
• Cocoa powder/chocolate chunks
• Coconut flakes
• Apple chunks and cinnamon
• Cumin and chili powder 
• Lemongrass and thai chili (like the TJ's tom yum cashews omg)

Cashew butter and jelly sandwiches here I come!

Elephant Oats

You know, elephants don't really eat peanuts. Peanuts get consumed by circus attendees and elephants are often at the circus.... so I suppose that's where the connection was made? Anyway, when I eat peanuts I think of elephants.

So when I made these crazy good, filling, delicious, peanut-y oats, I thought of elephants.

Elephant Oats

for one

Ingredients

• 1/3 c. multi-grain oats
• 1/3 c. nonfat, plain soy milk
• 1/3 c. water
• pinch of salt
• pinch of cinnamon
• 2 tsp chia seeds
• 2 tsp flax seeds
• Toppings:
• 1 tbsp crushed peanuts
• 1 banana, sliced
• PB/Yo Cream: 2 tbsp greek yogurt, 1 tbsp peanut butter, 2 tsp agave syrup, mixed together

 Instructions

• Heat milk, water, and salt to a boil
• Add oats and cook until how you like your oats
• Add cinnamon, flax, and chia
• Dish up and top with toppings!

Easy peasy lemon squeazy! Chia and flax fill you up like nobody's business, so if you have a long morning ahead of you, I recommend this meal. It has carbs, fiber, protein, and fat to keep you going into the early afternoon. The PB/Yo cream adds tang and sweetness and lightens up the peanut butter, which would be otherwise caloric.


Bonus: it's vegetarrriiiaaannnnn!! Leave off (or sub) the yogurt and it's vegan!